Paul Bollenback – Brightness of Being – Elefant Dreams

by | Jul 24, 2007 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

Paul Bollenback – Brightness of Being – Elefant Dreams ED4548, 1 hour *****:

(Paul Bollenback, guitars; David “Fathead” Newman, tenor saxophone; Gary Thomas, tenor saxophone; Tim Garland, soprano and tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, James Genus, bass; Terri-Lyne Carrington, drums; Ari Honnig, drums; Chris McNulty, voice)

In 2005, guitarist Bollenback took a strong group of players and a vocalist, all with distinctive voices, and molded them into a cohesive whole with strong originals and intriguing covers. It’s not “just” a jazz guitar CD; it’s a group endeavor.

The opening cut, a Bollenback original entitled “Together,” at first hints at smooth jazz accessibility but soon enough announces that this CD will be a serious jazz voyage. In fact, the CD moves from ECM-like originals, to Ray Charles standards, through an operatic theme from Tosca, and even a Neil Young soft rocker.

“Unchain My Heart” and “You Don’t Know Me,” gave the leader an opportunity to invite David “Fathead” Newman to play tenor sax and the Ray Charles Orchestra veteran steps up with warm interpretations imbued with his deep knowledge and love of his late leader’s music. Bollenback’s playing shows influences of Wes Montgomery and he can burn like Jimmy Bruno. But he is diverse and well integrated enough that for this listener he is his own man.
 
On the leader’s “Breathe” vocalist Chris McNulty gives a warm and slightly breathy reading of a lovely line along with Tim Garland’s soprano sax. Bollenback’s acoustic guitar on this track reinforces the Brazilian feel. The leader also dares to enter “Classical” territory with adaptations of works by Mexican guitarist Ernesto Garcia de Leon and the Italian opera master Giacomo Puccini. The latter is a three-part excursion entitled “Dark Eyes of Floria Tosca” based on a passage from “Tosca.” I found the tenor/guitar and bass/guitar duet passages to be quite emotive. Part 3, with its descending motif depicting Tosca’s death leap is very powerful.

This CD has stood up to my repeated listenings as it is strong throughout. The foundation provided by James Genus on bass and Terri-Lyne Carrington or Ari Honnig on trap drums is always tasteful and propulsive. Vocalist McNulty is excellent with or without words. The three reedmen – Newman, Gary Thomas, and Tim Garland – are all world-class players.  Highly recommended.

TrackList: Together; Unchain My Heart; Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing; Breathe; You Don’t Know Me; 7 AM Special; El Desierto; Dark Eyes of Floria Tosca, Parts 1, 2, 3; Philadelphia; Siberian Passages.

— Howard Herrnstadt
   
 

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